Chapter 58: Chapter 58

Chapter 58: The Man Who Inspires Expectations

Mad Demon killed his own father.

According to information the Alliance compiled,

split the father's skull extracting the brain.

This was said while kneading that brain.

If you make me Cult Leader, I'll create even more delightful things.

This was said while looking around at the Demon Heads of Demonic Cult's great veins.

The Demon Heads were also crazy, so nodded at those words.

Mad Demon ascended to Cult Leader's position.

Right, this person is the current Demonic Cult Leader.

'Yet having done that, he went missing while challenging to become Heavenly Demon.'

So the Cult Leader I beheaded was the generation after Mad Demon.

That fellow was also shudderingly strong.

For now, focus on Mad Demon before my eyes.

I moved my mouth before him.

"When people meet unexpected situations, must think. Thinking creates escape routes. Isn't that right?"

Kkuuk, kkuuuk—Kwak Daebang and Yang Cheonjo's hands on my shoulders gain strength.

If a martial artist above a certain level, momentum is felt even staying still.

If deliberately hiding, the story differs, but Mad Demon didn't do so.

From the moment of first seeing until now, emitting suffocating momentum.

Setting aside being crazy, felt strong.

Kwak Daebang and Yang Cheonjo also felt it.

Mad Demon looked at me like viewing a lunatic.

Though intended, feelings are subtle.

Honestly, if you have the alias Mad Demon, shouldn't say others are crazy.

"I'm extremely sane."

"That's right. Though I came to my senses not long ago."

I quickly changed topic.

"Since we met, it's also connection—let's exchange names. I'm called Ink Sword Hero Jin Yeomyeong."

Since I first revealed alias and name, the two companions had no escape route.

"Flying Black Bear Kwak Daebang."

"Silver Hero Yang Cheonjo."

I interjected correcting Yang Cheonjo's words.

"Silver Hero is still self-proclaimed."

"Hero, can't I use it by now?"

"Aliases should be given by others."

"If I start saying it, others can call it too!"

Mad Demon finds us interesting.

Same madness-overflowing smile as usual.

The colorful robe even sparkled amid this—mixed with gold thread perhaps.

Anyone seeing would say crazy.

'Don't say Mad Demon. Don't say Mad Demon.'

If thinking to kill us now, would comfortably reveal himself.

If not thinking that yet, would give different alias and name.

To know what mind, exchanged names.

Now, who will he say?

"Elder Brother's esteemed great name?"

"Demonic Cult's Collection Officer Yi Hyeongjang."

He said Demonic Cult himself.

Old era Demonic Cult called themselves Divine Cult, and if others called them Demonic Cult, they raged.

Current era Demonic Cult is different.

Confidently introduces as Demonic Cult.

And 'Collection Officer.'

Mad Demon liked going around pretending not to be Cult Leader. At such times, he impersonated the Cult's various positions.

Collection Officer was a position collecting items needed by the Cult. Not strange being inside a stone tomb.

The name Yi Hyeongjang seems because I called him elder brother.

Said Demonic Cult, but gave different position and name as cover.

This far is also fine.

Just not introducing as Mad Demon is fortunate.

"You're not surprised."

Normally meeting Demonic Cult figure in such place would greatly surprise.

"Recently experienced various things in Luoyang."

"That's true. Watched well your fight with Hwangbo Gak."

Spine went chilly anew.

Being at that place without being discovered by anyone.

Of course would have used disguise and Bone Shrinking Technique, but there's energy sensing.

"Then now, what does that rolling head say? Did you think of escape route?"

The last question approached too quickly.

He laughed at my retorts and responded to name exchange.

Not for other reasons but curious about my next reaction.

Depending on that answer, live or die.

"Doesn't seem need to escape."

"Because you seem like you'll send us."

No reason to let live.

"Please go report to the Cult Leader."

I showed Mukheun. The friend who's always the answer.

Kwak Daebang and Yang Cheonjo's surprised sounds were heard.

Because even they felt he wasn't an opponent to win against now.

"You two stay still. Now, Collection Officer. Look."

Xun Trigram Technique I'd most mastered while handling wind's natural energy.

Operated true qi creating small whirlwind on Mukheun's blade tip.

Seuwik—sending the whirlwind to Mad Demon,

he waved his robe hem receiving the whirlwind.

Operated Li Trigram Technique handling fire's natural energy.

Not yet mastered, so couldn't make big fire.

However, fire energy gathered on Mukheun as surrounding air heated up.

Zhen Trigram Technique handling lightning's natural energy.

Also still couldn't manifest lightning, but tingling thunder energy gathered around me.

Kan Trigram Technique handling water's natural energy.

Actually, making water is harder than lightning. Exerted all strength trying to make even a water drop.

Even throwing this couldn't wet the opponent. Extent of moistly supplying moisture?

For a moment wondered what I'm doing before Demonic Cult member.

'Must return to Taebok.'

Dying here means nothing.

Resolving death to establish pride is enough when alone.

Earned Mad Demon's admiration. Quite satisfied voice. Listening one way, seemed like signal could stop now.

Can't be fooled by such words. would die.

Next is really too much, but only this method.

Raised true qi mixing Xun and Kan Trigram Techniques.

Raising techniques, hand seals naturally appeared, and Mukheun moved.

Principle and energy gathered on the sword.

Not what current martial prowess can do. Pain surged from qi center. Read full story at novel★fire.net

Energy tried rampaging.

Past experience exists. Grasped energy's flow with minute operation.

Hwirririri—wind and water gathered simultaneously.

Squeezed out true qi gathering even water.

Eventually a water vortex was created.

Threw it at Mad Demon.

Though hadn't achieved mastery of entire Eight Trigram Technique, a water vortex containing utmost inner power.

Threw with emotion while pretending to demonstrate.

Clicked tongue once then closed eyes.

Kuaaang—with tremendous sound, Mad Demon's form shook.

Water that struck Mad Demon splattered in all directions, some meeting torches making burning sounds—chiiii.

Burning sound also came from Mad Demon's body. Water became steam.

Obtained one piece of information about Mad Demon.

He can deploy extreme yang martial arts.

While steam rose—morak morak—Mad Demon smiled with eyes closed, mouth split wide.

"How about it? Will the Cult Leader be interested?"

Did I pique your interest?

After giving him sufficient time to savor, I spoke.

My purpose—inspiring the interest of one crazed living for delight.

Jin Yeomyeong, you haven't mastered that martial art yet?

Rak. Martial arts where mastery is anticipated. When that time comes, can you and I play more delightfully?

Also the reason he'd let live the me who'd lost Mukheun spitting blood.

However, can't talk about experiencing meeting him in the past.

"Report to the Cult Leader that Jin Yeomyeong uses such martial arts. Who knows? The Cult Leader might want to collect later."

What does it matter? He said Collection Officer. Didn't I provide justification fitting the position?

Mad Demon, isn't this enough?

He briefly fell silent in his smile.

Kwak Daebang and Yang Cheonjo also fell silent.

Ttuk—Mad Demon threw a book at me.

Receiving and looking, [Wind God Sword Manual] written on the cover.

"Learn that too. You handle wind energy best, so it'll help."

"Definitely a fellow who gives expectations."

As expected, since the same person, attacking with same reason was the answer!

"What more can I give..."

Even muttering such things to himself.

No, it's fine, so now please just leave—

"How about killing those two behind to strengthen training motivation?"

Anyway, crazy bastard.

As expected of Mad Demon.

"If killing both is too much, how about just killing the kid? Won't you train harder?"

Slowly—Mad Demon started approaching.

His momentum pressed in.

I and Kwak Daebang stood divided left and right before Yang Cheonjo to protect him.

Yang Cheonjo's slightly trembling voice.

Kid, what Silver Hero?

Because I'm blocking.

"That's also a good idea."

Yang Cheonjo slowly nodded then—

—felt strangeness looking at me and asked again.

Kwak Daebang poked his ear wondering if he heard wrong.

"Because revenge is a good goal."

"Um, hero. That's my life."

Wait. There's more to say.

"However, not doing so would make the result more interesting."

"Martial arts contain the person. We all know that much. If the practitioner holds revenge, martial arts also become more vicious; if they hold ambition, martial arts also become grander."

Even the same martial arts reveals differently depending on who learns.

Because people's hearts are each different—no same heart exists.

"If Demonic Cult member, aren't you already tired of martial arts containing revenge? If revenge again this time, wouldn't be fun?"

"I'll guarantee. My martial arts will taste better when not revenge-flavored."

Rak. Rak. Rak. Rak—clicked tongue as if applauding.

Not only me, but won't touch the two beside.

"I'm extremely delighted right now."

"But you know this? Stimulation becomes habitual."

"To delight me next time, must give stimulation beyond this."

Then lowered his body meeting glistening eyes with mine.

"Fulfill the expectations."

Though words in commanding tone without force—

if I failed mastery and Mad Demon was still Cult Leader then, the pain I'd receive would be indescribable.

Keeping alive me and companions purely for interest—disappointing him?

"Don't worry. Will definitely behead you. That should be sufficient stimulation?"

Different meaning of no.

This time I'll defeat you.

"It was delightful. See you later."

He passed between us three heading outside as if nothing.

Rak. Rak. Rak. Rak—leaving only sounds.

We kept mouths firmly closed waiting until his presence disappeared.

Huheok—held breath burst out.

"What tremendous achievement. Surviving from that fellow and obtaining secret manual—, ack."

Kwak Daebang threw one punch.

A punch containing emotion, not inner power.

"Uwaa! Do you know how many times my heart clenched because of you? Huh? Know?"

"Wasn't it that kind of situation, uh uh, Cheonjo? Even you?"

Yang Cheonjo also delivered one punch.

Also a punch containing emotion, not inner power.

"What? 'That's also a good idea?' When he said kill me, it's a good idea?"

"Because had to pass over that way."

That the Demonic Cult Collection Officer we just met could have killed us.

Though don't know how I did it, that I passed that crisis.

Even knowing everything, emotions welled up.

"Now, now. Let's calm down. Brother Kwak, eat some snacks brought. Cheonjo, this is secret from mother."

"How did you know I brought snacks?"

"I also can't tell mother this. Then I can't go outside the village again."

Isn't everything perfect?

Even obtained secret manual.

"Whew, let's go. We should go home now too."

"I also want to go home now."

Both suddenly raised heads.

"Elder Dang said. Here's double structure."

And Mad Demon only stood before the coffin.

Didn't break down the stone wall visible behind the coffin.

Didn't he leave not knowing?

Double stone chamber even the Demonic Cult Leader didn't open.